Baby-jumper



UNITED VSTATES PATENT FFICE.

E. RICE, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

BABY-JUMPER.

Speccaton of Letters Patent No. 8,478, dated October 28, 1851.

. To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUCLID RICE, of Elizabethtown, in the county ofEssex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and ruseful Machine,which I call a Baby- W'alker and Jumper Combined; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of theconstruction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figurel, is a prospective view; Fig. 2 a transverse section; Fig. 3, aplatform described by the line A, B, in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a platformdescribed by the line C, D, in Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a platform described bythe line E, F, in Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a platform of t-he upper top.

The construction and operation of the said machine is as follows: Theframe is constructed of four legs marked A, in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, framedtogether with two sets of rails which forms a full circle, the lowerrails as in Figs. 2- and 3 marked B, the upper rails as in Figs. 2 and 4marked C. On the inside of the upper part of the legs, from the loweredge of the lower rail is a projection of half an inch, which ishollowed out so as to form nearly a half circle, shown in Figs. 3 and 4,which with the tin or zinc tubes marked as in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, markedD, which form the cylinder that keeps the piston marked G, in Figs. 2and 4 in its upright and regular position. One half of the cylinder isformed of either tin or zinc, which is attached to the sides of the legsbetween the rails, with small nails or tacks as in Figs. 3 and 4. Thesaid piston is made of any firm wood, turned with two shoulders; theupper shoulder is to receive the lower end of the spring as marked H, inFig. 2 above the shoulder. The piston is made smaller so as not to rubagainst the inside of the spring; the lower shoulder to be three-eighthsof an inch larger than the first shoulder so as to prevent the springfrom coming in contact with said cylinders as marked I in Figs. 2 and 3.The said springs to be made of steel wire, the size from l0 to 16according to the different weightl of the children. The said springs arespiral, to be four and one-half inches in length, when there is noweight upon them except the tops. The springs are to be one inch indiameter, fastened to the shoulder of the piston as marked H, in Fig. 2,with a small staple or tack. The upper end of the springs is broughtover the top of the leg and let into the. same, a small staple insertedover the wire near the inside of the leg, so as to prevent the springsfrom rising above the top of the legs, when the springs are forced openand allowed to s )ring back. The endof the spring is broug t over on theoutside of the leg and fastened with a screw as marked F, in Fig. 2. Thepiston 1s fastened to the second top, with a small staple and eye asmarked M, in Fig. 2.

The second top is formed of hard and firm wood one-half inch thick andeighteen inches in diameter, three inches wide, forming a circle, excepta small projection one 'inch long, and one and three-quarters of an inchwide as in Figs. 2 and 5, marked K. The upper top as in Figs. 2 and G,markedV O, is formed of either mahogany or any other firm wood; it is acircle formed in two parts; circle to be twenty inches in diameter, sixinches wide, half an inch thick. This top is connected together with ahinge called a card table hinge as in Figs. 2 and 6, marked P.

The first top divided as at W', is fastened to the seco-nd top with ascrew as marked Q, in Figs. 2 and 5. This top has two dowels as marked Sin Figs. 2, 6, to keep it in its proper place while closed around thechild; it has another dowel projecting from the under side and passesthrough the second top as marked T in Figs. 5 and 6. In connection withthe spring marked U in Figs. 2 and -securely locks the tops together andfastens the child in the machine. This spring' is fastened under thelower top with a screw in the center as marked U in Figs. 2 and 5. Thespring has a long square staple fastened on the same near the other endto keep it in its proper place so that it will pass in and out of thelock as marked V in Fig. 5. This spring passes through the lower end ofa staple, which is fastened into the upper top on the under side asmarked IV in Figs. 2 and 5. On the other end of this spring is a smallring, so formed that it is placed under the curtain and can be openedand closed with the nger. The upper top is upholstered and projects overthe inner edge so as to form a soft and elastic circle under the childsarms as in Figs. l, 2, and 6, marked X.

The seat is formed of a wooden bottom marked Y in Fig. 2. This seat orsaddle is to be upholstered very soft with the back forming a halfcircle, the top of the back inclined inward as in Figs. 2 and 5, markedZ, and is suspended by small chains or cords so as to lower or raise thesame to suit the sizes of different children; these are fastened to thelower top as in Figs. 2 and 5. The seat is covered with oil silk oroilcloth.

On the top of each leg and directly over the same, on the under side ofthe lower top is fastened a pieceiof india rubber or any other elasticsubstance as marked A, in Figs. 2 and 4L so as to prevent suddenjarring, when the springs are forced open with the weight of the child.

Under the foot of each leg is fastened a caster that revolveshorizontally so that the child can move the machine in any direction itdesires.

The curtains are'double, the lower ones are fastened to the upper railas in Fig. 1,

marked C, C, the other is fastened to the second top marked D, D, inFig. 1.

I do not claim the use of spring, or the means of giving motion for thepurpose of exercise or amusement, as that has been before employed in avariety of ways; but

I do claim- The combining of springs, with a frame and seat in themanner described, forming an apparatus for teaching children to standand walk and at the same time to prevent the child from bearing itswhole weight upon its feet, as it sits upon the 'seat or saddle and canat its option either stand upon its feet or sit down, and at the sametime move itself in any direction with its feet;

and its body securely sustained in an upright position, after the uppertop is locked around its waist in the manner described; and it can atits option, either move by a mot-ion of its limbs, or use the machine asa jumper for amusement, as the accompanying description and drawingrepresent.

y EUCLID RICE. Witnesses WM. CONDELL, J EREMIAH PRICE.

